WelChol

WelChol Medicine

What Is WelChol?

WelChol^® (colesevelam hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the body. Lowering the amount of cholesterol and fats may help prevent conditions such as:

This medication should be used in combination with diet and exercise. It has also been approved to help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.

Who Makes It?

WelChol is manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

What Is WelChol Used For?

WelChol has been licensed to treat high LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) in people with high total cholesterol. It has also been licensed to help treat type 2 diabetes.

(Click WelChol Uses for more information.)

How Does It Work?

WelChol is part of a class of drugs known as bile acid sequestrants.

It works by binding to bile acids in the intestines, preventing them from being reabsorbed into the body. Bile acids are made in the liver from broken-down cholesterol. Therefore, removing these substances from your body helps lower your blood cholesterol. The medication can lower both total and LDL cholesterol, while slightly raising HDL cholesterol.

It is not yet known how WelChol works to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. However, it is clear that the drug works within the digestive tract, since it is not absorbed into the rest of the body.

Effects of WelChol

WelChol has been evaluated in several different studies for both cholesterol and diabetes.

Cholesterol

Since WelChol can lower total and LDL cholesterol levels (along with raising HDL -- "good" cholesterol), a person can decrease his or her risk of developing certain health problems in the future by taking it.

In previous clinical research studies, people taking 3,800 mg to 4,500 mg of WelChol daily were able to:

Reduce LDL cholesterol by 15 to 18 percent
Reduce total cholesterol by 7 to 10 percent
Raise HDL cholesterol by 3 percent.

The combination of WelChol with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (known more commonly as a statin) can further lower cholesterol levels.

Diabetes

Studies have shown that WelChol can help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. These studies used this drug in combination with other diabetes medications, such as metformin, sulfonylureas, and insulin. These studies showed that adding WelChol can help lower fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a measure of long-term blood sugar control.

When and How Do I Take WelChol?

General considerations for when and how to take WelChol include the following:

The medication comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth once or twice a day with meals. People are often advised to take it with at least half a glass of water to avoid constipation or swallowing difficulties.
WelChol should be taken at the same time every day to help maintain an even level in the blood. Do not take it more often than directed.

WelChol may reduce the absorption of some medications. Therefore, if you are taking another medication, you may need to take it at least four hours before you take your Welchol. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can tell you which medications need to be taken separately.
For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. WelChol will not work if you stop taking it.

Dosing Information

The dose of WelChol your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

Other medical conditions you may have
Other medications you may be taking.

As with any drug, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

(Click WelChol Dosage for more information.)

Side Effects of WelChol

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with WelChol. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Common side effects include but are not limited to:

Constipation
Indigestion or heartburn
Nausea.

(Click WelChol Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)

Drug Interactions

Several medications may interact with WelChol (see WelChol Drug Interactions for more information).

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking WelChol, talk with your healthcare provider if you have:

High triglycerides
Stomach problems
Difficulty swallowing
A history of bowel obstruction
A history of pancreatitis
A recent history of surgery on the gastrointestinal tract
Bleeding problems
An allergy to WelChol, any other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see WelChol and Pregnancy)
Breastfeeding (see WelChol and Breastfeeding).

Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Click WelChol Precautions and Warnings to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)

Alternatives to WelChol for High Cholesterol

Lowering cholesterol levels should begin with lifestyle modifications. This includes a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats, limited alcohol use, weight loss, and exercise. If lifestyle changes alone do not lower triglyceride or cholesterol levels enough, medications such as WelChol may be necessary.

Cholesterol treatment is aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol levels enough to reduce the risk of complications associated with high cholesterol (see Effects of High Cholesterol). If you are at a higher risk, you will have a lower LDL goal.

(Click High Cholesterol Risk to determine your cholesterol risk and find out what your LDL cholesterol level should be.)

For most people, WelChol is quite effective at lowering cholesterol. It is also well tolerated. But side effects can occur, and people may wish to consider a substitute. These substitutes could include other bile acid sequestrants, statins, or other cholesterol medicines.

(Click WelChol Alternatives for more information.)

What If I Take an Overdose?

Since WelChol does not get absorbed into the body, there is little risk of toxic effects, although bothersome digestive side effects may occur. However, if you happen to take too much, you should still seek medical attention.

How Should the Medication Be Stored?

WelChol should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container. It should be protected from light and moisture.

Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you are taking WelChol twice a day and miss the first dose, take the total daily dose all at once with your next meal. If you miss the dose for the entire day, skip the missed dose(s) and continue with your normal dosing schedule. Do not take a double or extra dose.

Available Strengths

WelChol tablets are available in one strength -- WelChol 625 mg.

Is There a Generic Version of WelChol?

No generic versions of WelChol are currently available (see Generic WelChol).